Within the context of quasi-brittle fracture mechanics analyzed by finite element approaches, the present research addresses an implicit solution scheme applied to a strain-gradient continuum damage model. The implicit scheme is based onto an iterative procedure which minimizes for each loading step the increment of both the elastic energy and the damage field between two subsequent trial solutions. The performances of the proposed scheme are compared with those of a previously developed explicit scheme. Besides a better accuracy in the static response computation, it is demonstrated that the proposed approach provides more accurate fracture propagation patterns.

中文翻译：

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应变梯度脆性断裂分析中的隐式计算方法

在通过有限元方法分析准脆性断裂力学的背景下，本研究提出了应用于应变梯度连续介质损伤模型的隐式求解方案。隐式方案基于迭代过程，该过程最小化每个加载步骤的两个后续试验解决方案之间的弹性能和损伤场的增量。将所提出的方案的性能与先前开发的显式方案的性能进行了比较。除了静态响应计算具有更好的准确性外，还证明所提出的方法提供了更准确的裂缝扩展模式。